Method of erecting storage structures



J. A. KROLL ETAL 2,605,540

METHOD OF;ERECTING STORAGE STRUCTURES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 5, 1952 Filed March 18, 1950 24 10 FIG.1.- 4

.INVENTORS. John Ala-0Z2 George MSmith ATTORNEYS.

J. A. KROLL EI'AL METHOD OF ERECTING STORAGE STRUCTURES Aug. 5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Filed March 18 1950 mmvrozes: John AKmZZ I CieoryeMSmzih i a $1061. 9 $1M),

* Arromzvs.

Aug. 5, 1952 J. A. KROLL ET AL 0 METHOD OF ERECTING STORAGE STRUCTURES Filed March 18, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 'INVENTORS. John A Kroll y George M.5mizh AT TORN EYS l atented Aug. 5, i952 Mn'rnon' or ERECTING STORAGE s'rnocrnnss John A. Kroll, Milwaukee, and GeorgeM. Smith,

Thiensville, Wis., assignors to A. O. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a

New York corporation of I Application March 18, 1950, Serial No. 150,496

9 Claims. (Cl. 29-44832) This invention relates generally to a method for erecting storage structures, such as silos and as tanks.

ihe object of the invention is to provide a method for erecting a metal storage tank or structure in which the various sections are substantially assembled and 'joined'to one another successively at ground level. A further object is to provide a method for erecting metal storage tanks which permits joining of the seams of the various sections of the structure without having to resort to costly and time consuming scaffolding.

Another object is to provide a method for erecting metal storage tanks in which the uppermost section, including the top, is first assembled and then is raised a sufficient height so that the adjacent lower section may be assembled and joined to the preceeding section at ground level.

- These and other objects and advantages will be more fully set forth in'the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings: 7

Figureanism employed in the method of the invention;

' Fig. 2 is a central elevational view of the mechanism of Fig. l with certain duplicate structure omitted but including a center post or holder for the top'section;

' Fig. 3. is a detail view of a portion of the elevating mechanism secured to the foundation of the structure;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a partially erected storage structure showing five assembled horizontal sections of a normal seven-section structure;

Fig. 5 is View taken on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. sis-an elevational view of a plate utilized in raising the cylindrical sections of the silo;

Fig. 7' is a view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3; and I Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view illustrating the attachment and sealing of the lowermost shell section to the foundation.

Briefly the invention which is here described in connections with the erection of glass linked silo or storage structure,- comprises assembling the top of the silo and joining it to the uppermost cylindrical section of the silo at near ground lever. The top and adjacent cylindrical sections are then elevated a sufficient height to permit the joining together of the plates of the next adjacent lower section and after joining adjacent cylindrical sections together successively the same 1 is a plan View of the elevating mechare raised to permit repetition of thesteps 'until a silo of desired height is erected;

According to the invention the foundation" l of the silo is generally of poured concrete whichextends into the ground for an appreciable depth. The floor 2 of the foundation is elevatedfrom the outer circumference to provide a ledge 3 around.

the outer circumference of substantial width upon which the structure is supported. 'Anchor bolts 4 are spaced about ledge 3 and are securely anchored in the foundation when? it is poured.

These bolts are utilized in the erection ofthe" structure and also toihold the completed assembly in place as will be described- IQ.

The foundation is provided with'a generally: rectangular'shaped trough 5 which extends. from the outer circumference to substantially thev middle of the foundation. (.wenerallythev trough is utilized for the reception of a bottom unloading mechanism for deliveryof stored silage Ito the outside of the silo. For the purposesof this invention however, trough tion of the as a base power to operate a raising successively structure.

The screw-jacks 6 are equally spaced circumferentially around the floor 2 of the foundation to. receive" themotive and are removably secured tothe ledge 3 ofthe, Each screwj-; jack assembly consists of a lower housing'l which. flange 8 at the bottom thereof;

foundation in any suitable manner.

is provided with a The flange is provided with threaded apertures for the reception of screws 9. Hold down brackets is of generally Z-shape are-.utilizedto removably secure the screw-jacks where desired,

the horizontal legs of brackets In being secured.

to'the flange 8, and to theledge 3 of the foundation by screws 9 andJbolts &; respectively. Bolts H which are threaded. into the lower. flange of;

bracket ill may be used to level the bracket with respect to the housing I andits attendant flange 8; Bolts l2 are ,threadedly secured at'the inner edge of flange Biand serve to'level the jack assemblies relative to the floor of the foundation;

Column' I3is secured to the'top of housing .1; and is'provid'ed at its upper end with aicap;'m'em.-'* ber Id, suitably apertured to provide aibearin'g-for;

a screw which will be hereinafter described. ciThe inner end l 5 of the cap is: beveled and isprovid'ed; with "a threaded aperture it 'for. the reception- 0f 2 bolt ii which secures stay brace I8 to the beveled inner endsurface'lfi. M v Housingmember i'is open at 5 is used during erect-- plurality of screw jacks 6 for: the cylindrical sections of the the t: inner 51116 thereof to receive bearing [9. screwmeniber- 20;"

3 having its lower end unthreaded, is rotatably disposed within bearing IS. The upper end of screw is likewise unthreaded and is J'ournaled in the aperture provided in cap [4. The extreme lower end of screw 20 is keyed to a sprocket 2|, which when rotated, turns-screw 20.

Nut housing-22 encircles column l3 and is pro.- vided at its top with a bracket 23 which supports a plate 24 threadedly' apertured for the reception of bolts to removably secure the. lapped ends of two adjoining sections of the silo to plate. 24:

during erection of the silo. Plate 24 is curved to conform generally with. the: silo wall and, is provided with a plurality ofvertically and horizontally disposed apertures to receive securing means such as bolts as will be hereinafter explained. The outer face of plate 24 is provided with suitable non-abrasive material 25 as indicated by the speckled surface in Fig. 6 so that no injury will occur to the glass lined plates of the-silo; during erection- The inner pcrtioniof. nut housing 22 is threaded fem-engagement" with screw 20 which it encircles. When screw 20 is rotated, housing 22 will'gb'eieith'er raisedor lowered and the plates ofi'ithetsil'o. attachedto the plate 24 will be moved correspondingly.

mhorizontal disk 26 is. positioned above a posit-inning frame 21 about fioorlevel and issecured tosaivertical socket'.28.disposed centrally of the si-loiand welded. to the. frame 21. The I jackscrewsof. frame 21 engage the. side. walls of trough. 5 and. secure the socket 28 inplace.

The socket 28 servesto. support a, central mast 29I'liaving acap. 30 secured to its upper end. The mast.:is.-utilized. to temporarily: support the top ofiuthesilowhile. the. upper or first cylindrical wall. section is beingassembled.therewith. Other types-:ofssupportszmay be. used for this purpose.

Thelowerlend. of each brace I8 ,of. the respectitle-jacks .6 is, removably secured to brackets integral withzplate 26.to brace theljacks in service. Motor=3il: which is-supported withina suitable frame-.32',.is'-.removably secured within trough 5 of the foundation. The motor drives a vertically disposed shaft through a reduction gearing,

the-' shaft. having. a. drivesprocket 33 at the upperilendthereof. Asshown in, Fig. 1 endless chain'34 connects-the drive sprocket 33 with the pluralityzof. sprockets..2l so that nut housings 22':of each1jack.6 may. be raised or lowered simultaneously.v

"Inthepracticeof the invention the top of the silo is formed bysecuring a plurality of segmental shaped plates. together, the edges of which -overlap. A suitable. waterproofing means such as. mastic, or. the like, not shown, is disposedbetween theoverlapping edges of allplates which areused inthe. fabrication of the structure td seal thejoints against air and moisture. A. circumferential flange 35 depends from the lower edgerofxeach segmental plate and; serves as a.

joining-member... between the .top, and. the shell of-= the-:structure.. In. assembling the. unit the top is disposed'over support 29 and. rests on cap 30 atia-heightiabove the foundation to permit the-.zforming. of. the uppermost section of the shell therehe'neath. r. v The .next step is. to join a plurality-70f gplates togethen-to complete the first or'uppermost sectiOniOfflthe shell Thisis done by joining the plates; end-to-end by vertically securing the overlapping edges to form the circular, section. 'I'henutahousings 22, which are then in. their lowered. position, are initially, leveled up relative to one another by individual rotation of the screws 20.

With the nut housings 22 in this position, the plates 24, which are secured to the brackets 23 of the nut housings, will be disposed adjacent the lower edge of the cylindrical section where the. right-hand series of. vertically spaced bolt holes, extending through the plates 24, are utilized to secure the plates of the wall section thereto. Screws are disposed in the vertically spaced bolt holes from the bottom of the wall plates'to substantially the mid-portion 0f the wall section. However, the lowermost holes in the .vertical seams are not used at this particular time, thereby permitting the lowest circumferentially disposed holes to be utilized in attaching the next lower cylindrical section.

A fine adjustment of each mounting plate 24 can be obtained by adjusting set screws 36 which are threaded vertically through the bracket 23 upon which each plate 24 is mounted. A pair of; set screws 36 are employed with each bracket for vertical adjustment or separate adjustment of each side of the bracket.

Chain 34 is then placed in position to mesh with; drive sprocket 33 and the several sprockets 2I-secured to the screws 20-. The motor 3| is. started and rotates the screws 20 to raise. the nut housings threaded thereon and thus elevate the-uppermostshell section to the desired height,

is elevated a distance sufiicient for the assembly.

therebeneath of the second shell section.

The; second section and all succeeding sections are formed in a similar manner. With the upper partof the structure elevated sufliciently,

the. top edges of a plurality of side plates are secured circumferentially to the lower circumferential edge of the upper section While at the same time the plates are secured together vertically throughout substantiallythe upper half ottheir entire-depth. Boltsareused as a secure ing. means: and a-few of: these adjacent the lower edge. arefomitted in the vertical. seam at this.

time. topermit the plates 24 of nut housings-22 to be subsequently secured thereto. edgeiof the second section when formed, will be disposed above the foundation for a relativelyshort height. Wooden blocks 31 are spaced around the foundation under the shell sections and upon running. the housings 22 downwardly ashortdistance, the lower edge of the second.

shell section is permitted to rest uponthe.

Wooden blocks 31. Housings 22 are then disengaged and lowered to the bottom edge of the second.- section where plates 24 are again secured: vertically tothe second section. The nut housings 22 are again run up on their respective jacks- 6to elevate the section.

Withreference toFig. 4-of the drawing, it will be noted that the verticalbolted joints which join.

the plates end-to-end to .form a section. are

slightlyoffset from an adjacent joint of the sec.v

tion; above or below the same. Provision ismade, so'that the plates-24 of the nut housings 22 maybe. temporarily secured vertically for elevating. purposes to-each shell section with the bolt holes of each shell section ofiset from an adjacent sec-- tion..; As explained above-plates 24 are curvedto conform generally with the curvatureof the.

. plates of the structure. The plates 24 are pro-v The .lower.

. rienfis to th 35 en ed with seri s.e hehzehi ln vertically eede rthreste rece ve .helte 9ra i ee ur haeee shel is h er. elev ti the sam show in F .,er s c r rtiee flh plates of the fourth cylindrical section 1 t9 ,-an e upp r, ed it fi th seet ei -ieren iah seemie th wer eds'et rth aeetism. the nu heusm .-i .1;..b 1de'.w .t p m ewereeeeef the ifth the ooden .hlee

theieurth. s etie' Th sma hel ad .sequ s telse ie of vertie ap tures at chem- -.-;-hh da eth ye tiee a er uresin thenlat ,e zea .1 .eeeed. ne.-wa section.

T e ve ic l seems flt e eyhndr e l section f sue e slv r e e qs eti mzzth ten t th b t o .e th s ru tu e. as e apn i ati e ;A- W .E h u e fia sexed relatien h to. Qhe anethen eh lthe ieh r n ali m nt Ne eall 111 .v rt

of the method of fabrication it is unnecessary to zip yide e emev s the. e eva iheiiaehs fl e to -ihe.eeehseetiengihte position; n :E s-..e pla es-Mere hewm fished/ tl n hey a e diepese alone t v r a aeeams 0f L't' ou t r indrie s cti .she heflels t Li huani n h fourt seri .-e :-.re ee v esnae d- .heles the states l. A l necessa boltsareseee eevrhe ever heede procedure a is a thes ni ure es e s have h ene era ed teiermth s ru u e- Y eat, the 'lewermq tshell :se iie .ei;iheee mletedwell; i --he.1i. d,; n.n t h ad e -sec ieheh r gtheti eh jheleis ar remev d. and ree eee bran,an le-hear n whjehe tends eireumferentiel rere hdt at eclsee pr. t e eunda ie g s s cu e gtheret l rnseseibelts:4. ,h shewn-h th se .tiqnal n n gi hu s has, n age ,.;;3.

semefle le el -th i fic 1,1 l

section.

ieile h Wh ehth as e the e l'nel i. ek .eeeti n zwm et may b e QX! n he fiel Withe ce sit tina e n st n e -;.th ..s. tiehs pri rt si ehe ithe .1 e t eh to the :99 7 e thefihishe -et uetur and e icall spaee apertur s 3 ihe e t.;. i;those sre n le an pri rto- -e1evatins theupser section so that it is' unn ecessary to. putgthe top onafter the structureis in elevated position. The-simultaneoususeof a plurality of,,interconnected elevating screw -jacks which have first been leveled assures that the varioussections of -thestructure will bepositioned as .desired. a The number of lifting. jacks employedshould correspond to the ,numberof vertical. seamsin eachcylindrical section, and there should be at least threein order to give stability to, thestructure during erection. In the embodiment .of the invention shown five lifting jacks areemployed. .Various embodiments of the inventionmaybe employed within the scope of the .following claims. V q

We claim:

1. In the method of forming a storage: structure having a top and, a plurality of cylindrical sections which comprises forming the top irom a pluralitysof plates and :disposing :the same on asup-port at a level abovev theground sufiicient for the ..positioning oi at least one cylindrical section -therebeneath-, forming a cylindrical secupperedge thereof horizontallyto th'e lower edge of -the top and securing the removably securing a plurality of --lifting;me ans -to the loweredge of said section; eleya-ting- -the section a height. sufficient-to-receive a second seetiontherebeneath, securing the lower edge-of the-first section to the upper edge of a -subse- 'quently formed similar second section, removably securing said" lifting means to the "last-5 formed section and continuing the cylindricalfsection formingoperation and elevating operation'until all sections; are connected l1l position and securing the lower hori ontal edge of the; e termed section to a foundation. 40 2. The method of forming astorage structure having atop and a-plurality ofcylindrical sections which comprises forming-the top from a plurality of plates and-disposing the same on a support at level above the groundsufficient -for the positioning of atleast' one cylindrical section therebeneathgforming a cylindrical section from a plurality of plates by Y securing the upper edge thereof horizontally-tothe lower edge of -the-top and securing the plates ends-to-end, remov'ably securing a plurality oi lifting means to the lower edge of said section, elevating the section a height'sufficient to reeeivea second section there- -beneath, --securing the lower edge of thefirst section tothe -.upper -edge of a. subsequently formed similar second section, reversing said elevating-means to cause the lower edge -of said section to be disposed upon supports spaced circumferentially about a structure foundation, I detaching said lifting means from the lower. edge 6 of said first section andremovably securing. said means I to thehsubsequently formed. second -.section, continuing the. cylindrical section forming .roperationsflandelevating operations .until. all .sections are connected. in. position and securing the lower edge of the. last'formed section circum- ..ferentia11y. toe;v foundation. 1' f 3. The meth d o .0 1 rni gv asst ra structur rie l s c iens. which; c mpris .formin the. top

- from a plurality oflplatesand d sposing the, same asuppe t-ete lerela eve t s eund; suhieien fo th es ti h here tl a .ehee mdriea s.eetl 9n t er eheath forminea cyl nd cal; s tien reinie hlyral tyye :nlateevbr eeeiirihs.;. he

tion from a-plura1ity--of =plates by sec'uring the plates end-to-end,

to the upper edge of 'a-subsequently fo'rmed s'iinilar second section, reversing said elevating means to cause the lower edge of said section to be disposed'upon supports spaced circumferentially about-a structure foundation, detaching said lifting means from the said first section and removably securing said means to the subsequently formed second section, continuing the cylindrical section forming operations and elevating operations until all sections are connected in position and securing the lower edge of the last formed section circumferentially to a vertically disposed leg of an, annular angular ring'and securing a horizontally disposed leg of said ring to a foundation. i

4. The method of forming a storagestructure having a top andra plurality of cylindrical sections which comprisesforming the top from a plurality of plates having adepending flange at the outer edgethereof and disposing the same on a support at a level above the ground sufficient for theforming and positioning of at least -one cylindrical section therebeneath, forming ,a cylindrical section from a plurality of plates by :securing the plates end-to-endremovably secur- :ing a plurality of lifting means to the said sec- :tion, elevating the section a height suificient to :receive a second section therebeneath, l securing the upper edge thereof to the flange of the :top section, elevating the top and said section :a height sufiicient to receive a second section therebeneath,,forming a second section by circumferentially securing the top edges of a plurality of plates to the lower edge of the previous .section while simultaneously alternately securing the plates of the second section together vertically end-toend, removably securing said lifting means to said second section, elevating the top and said sections 'a height sufiicient to form another cylindrical section therebeneath and continuing the last section forming operation and elevating operation until all sections are connected in position and securing the lower horizontal edge of the last formed section to a foundation.

5. The method of forming a storage structure having a top and a plurality of horizontal sections which comprises forming the top from a plurality of plates having a depending flange at the outer edge thereof and disposing the same on a support at a level above the ground'sufficient for the forming and positioning of at least one cylindrical section therebeneath, forming a cylindrical section from a plurality of, plates by securing the plates end-to-end, removably securing a plurality of lifting means to the said section, securing the upper edge of the cylindrical section to the flange of the top section, elevating the top and said section a height sufficient to receive a second section therebeneath, forming a second section by circumferentially securing the top edges of aplurality of plates to the lower edge of the previous section while simultaneously alternately securing the plates of the second section together vertically end-to-end, reversing said lifting means to cause the lower edge of the second section to be disposed 'upon supports spaced circumferentially about a structure foundation, detaching said lifting means from the said first section and removably securing said means vertically adjacent the lower edge the subsequently formed second section, continuing the cylindrical section forming operations and elevating operations until all sections are connected in-position and securing the lower edge of the last formed section circumferentially to a foundation.

6. The method of forming a storage structure having atop and a plurality of cylindrical sections which comprises forming the top from a plurality of plates having a depending flangeat the outer edge thereof and disposing thes'ame on a support at a level above the ground sulficient for theforming and positioning ofat least one cylindrical section'therebeneath, forminga cylindrical section from a plurality of plates by boltingthe plates end-to-end, removably bolting a plurality of lifting means to the said section, bolting the upper edge of the cylindrical section to the flange of the top section, elevating the top and said section a height suificient to receive a second section therebeneath, forming a second section by circumferentially bolting the top edges of aplurality of plates'to the lower edgeof the previous section while simultaneouslyalternately bolting the plates of the second section together vertically end-to-end, bolting said liftingmeans vertically to the said second section, elevating the top and the sections thus formed a'heig'ht sufficient to form another cylindrical section therebeneath and continuing the last cylindrical forming operation and elevating operation until all sections are connected imposition and securing' the lower edge of the last formed section to a foundation; a I

7. The method of forming a storage structure having a top and a plurality of. cylindrical sections which comprises forming the top from a plurality of plates having a depending flange at the outer edge thereof and disposing the same on a support at a level. above the ground suflicient for the forming and positioning of at least one cylindrical section therebeneath, forming a cylindrical sectionlfrom a plurality of plates -'by bolting the plates end-to-end, re'movably bolting a-plurality of lifting means to the said section, and securing the upper edge thereof to the flange of the top section, elevating the top and said section a height sufiicient to receive a'second section therebeneath, forming a second section by circumferentially bolting the top edges of a plurality of plates to the lower edge of the previous section while simultaneously alternately bolting the plates of the second section together vertically end-to-end, reversing said elevating means to cause the lower edge of the second section to be disposed upon supports spaced circumferentially about a structure foundation, detaching said lifting means from the said first section and removably bolting said means vertically adjacent the lower edge'of the subsequently formed second section,- continuing the last cylindrical forming operation and elevating'operation until all sections are connected in position and securing the lower edge of the last formed section circumferentially to a foundation. I 1

8. The method of forming a storagestructure having a-top and aiplurality of 'cylindrical sections fabri'catedfrom' plates joined end-to-end into vertical seams which are progressively staggered in their entirety and'in'relation to one another relative to a vertical plane through any a support at a level above the ground sufficient for forming and positioning of at least one cylindrical section therebeneath, forming a cylindrical section therebeneath, forming a cylindrical section from a plurality of plates by securing the plates end-to-end, removably securing a plurality of lifting means to the said section and along the vertical seams between the plates from which the section is formed, securing the upper edge of said cylindrical section to the top section, elevating the top and said section a height sufficient to receive a second section therebeneath, forming a second section by circumferentially securing the top edges of a plurality of plates to the lower edge of the previous section while simultaneously alternately securing the plates of a second section together vertically, end-to-end, removably securing said lifting means vertically along the seams of the section but in offset relationship to vertical seams of the previous section, elevating the top and said sections a height sufficient to form another cylindrical section therebeneath, continuing the subsequent section forming operations and elevating operations until all sections are connected in position, and securing the lower horizontal edge of the last formed section to a foundation.

9. The method of forming a storage structure having a top and a plurality of cylindrical sections fabricated from plates joined end-to-end into vertical seams which are progressively staggered in their entirety and in relation to one another relative to a vertical plane through any seam which comprises forming the top from a plurality of plates having a depending flange at the outer edge thereof and disposing the top on a support at a level above the ground sufficient for forming and positioning of at least one cylindrical section therebeneath, forming a cylindrical section from a plurality of plates by sethe flange of curing the plates end-to-end, removably securing a plurality of lifting means adjacent the lower edge of said section and along the vertical seams between the plates from which the section is formed, securing the upper edge thereof to the flange of the top section, elevating the top and said section a height sufficient to receive a second section therebeneath, forming a second section by circumferentially securing the top edges of a plurality of plates to the lower edge of the previous section while simultaneously alternately securing the plates of the second section together vertically end-to-end, reversing said elevating means to cause the lower edge of the second section to be disposed upon supports spaced circumferentially about a structure foundation, detaching said lifting means for the said first section and removably securing the same vertically along the seams of the section and adjacent the lower edge of the second section but in offset relationship to the vertical seams of the previous section, elevating the top and said section a height sufficient to form another cylindrical section therebeneath, continuing the subsequent section forming operations and elevating operations until all sections are connected in position and securing the lower horizontal edge of the last formed section to a foundation.

JOHN A. KROLL. GEORGE M. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Settle Apr. 6, 1948 

